For nearly 60 years, St. Jude Medical Center has met the needs of the community, by offering the highest quality care with compassion and respect. We are one of Southern California's most respected and technologically advanced hospitals, and our four core values: dignity, excellence, service and justice are the guiding principles for everything we do. St. Jude is synonymous with exceptional care that extends beyond good medicine to a commitment to caring for you – mind, body and spirit.

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St. Jude Medical Center has proudly served Southern California for over six decades, offering compassionate care of the highest quality. Our staff is composed of nearly 700 physicians who represent every specialty from cancer care to orthopedics. We always strive to set a new standard in quality and care.

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At St. Jude Medical Center, we are proud to serve the healthcare and medical needs of people throughout Southern California. Find out about our specialties by clicking the option above, or search through all of our services by choosing the letter or search to the left.

Today, St. Jude Medical Center’s commitment to excellence is more important than ever—and it is a generous community that makes that commitment possible. But as the medical needs of this community continue to grow, so does the importance of those willing to give to ensure state-of-the-art care. There are many ways you can help. To learn more, please call the St. Jude Memorial Foundation at (714) 992-3033.

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Take the Emphysema Quiz

Emphysema is a long-term lung disease that usually gets worse over time. It's a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). According to the American Lung Association, close to 5 million Americans have emphysema. Take this quiz to see what you know about this disease.

1. Cigarette smoking is the usual cause of emphysema.

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Cigarette smoking is the cause in about 90% of people with emphysema. A smoker is 10 times more likely to die from COPD than a nonsmoker. Scientists believe that other factors are involved in the disease, because only 15% to 20% of smokers develop emphysema. Other factors that may contribute to emphysema include air pollution, fumes, and dust in the workplace.

A. TrueB. False

2. The main symptom of emphysema is shortness of breath.

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At first, shortness of breath occurs during activity. As the disease gets worse, the person has shortness of breath all the time.

A. TrueB. False

3. In emphysema, shortness of breath is caused by permanent damage to the small air sacs (alveoli) and small airways in the lungs.

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In emphysema, the tiny, elastic air sacs of the lung (alveoli) are permanently damaged. The smallest air passages, called bronchioles, are also damaged. Air continues to get into alveoli when the lungs expand during inhalation, but it is trapped when the person exhales. The passageways then become plugged with mucus.

A. TrueB. False

4. Lung function—the ability to move air into and out of the lungs—declines with age.

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The decline is gradual in healthy nonsmokers. But the slow loss of lung function isn't noticeable. The decline in smokers, however, is rapid and can be noticed. If a smoker quits before emphysema develops, the decline levels off until it is nearly normal for the person's age.

A. TrueB. False

5. Emphysema affects only the lungs.

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Emphysema and other forms of COPD make the heart work harder. People with emphysema get tired easily. They may have chest pains and feel their heart beat rapidly (palpitations). Low oxygen levels also affect the brain, causing headaches, sleep problems, and irritability.

A. TrueB. False

6. Swelling of the ankles can be caused by problems linked to emphysema.

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A person with emphysema or other forms of COPD may have an enlarged heart because of damaged lungs. He or she may develop swelling of the ankles, legs, and abdomen. Because of poor oxygen supply, he or she may have a bluish tinge to skin, lips, and nails.

A. TrueB. False

7. If you have emphysema, you should get a yearly flu shot.

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You should get a yearly flu shot and pneumonia vaccines. Complications of the flu and pneumonia can be very serious and even fatal in a person with COPD.

A. TrueB. False

8. Emphysema is diagnosed with a chest X-ray.

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A chest X-ray can show changes that suggest emphysema, but it is not used to diagnose this disease. Instead, your health care provider will give you a physical exam and ask you questions about your medical history. He or she will also use other tests like lung function studies to diagnose emphysema and other forms of COPD.